GALA: No offense, but the Georgetown Waterfront is usually a little too stuffy and bland to be worth sticking around after lunchtime.
That changes tonight at theArt Metamorphosis Gala, when 26 artists paint
live, video screens show off art installations, and live musicians and
deejays make you dance. Nick’s
Riverside Grille and Tony & Joe’s Seafood will be serving
up apps all night. Presale tickets are sold out, but there may be
last-minute tickets available at the door. Free. 6 PM.

LOBSTERS: The Maine lobby must be pretty imposing, because Friday isNational Lobster Day. Celebrate with a date at the Palm, where you can split a gigantic four-pound Nova Scotia lobster (that’s why I stay out
of Canadian waters), two starters, and two sides for $99.

FOOD FESTIVAL: For a kinda cookie-cutter suburb (look, I’ve been there, okay?), Reston has lots of good restaurants. So tonight’sTaste of Reston is certainly worth the trip—you’ll get baklava from Midtown Kabob, sliders from the Counter,pollo a la brasa from Pollo Peru, and lots of other
things. And what would a suburban food fair be without some mac and
cheese from a little
hole in the wall I like to call UNO Chicago Grill? Bring your
children or that kid you’re babysitting—there’s going to be
a carnival. Oh, and beer and wine tastings, too. Hope the kid
knows how to drive. $20 for 24 tastes. 3 to 11 PM; continues
Saturday.

DANCING: If you were of dancing age and in
Washington between 1996 and 2005 (I was not), you probably checked out
Red, a bangin’ club
that played disco, house, and lots of other stuff. I dunno, I
wasn’t there—but it’s got a great reputation, and some of its
most notable deejays, includingDoug Smith,Sam “the Man” Burns, andDJ Kostasspin tonight at U Street Music Hall, trying to bring back the magic. Free before 11 PM; $5 after. 10 PM.

Saturday, June 16

ART FAIR: Dupont is having acraft fair, so you know what that means: time
to deck out your house with novelty salt shakers, lampshades with
attitude, and end tables
made from salvaged barn doors. Expect local artisans, junk
dealers, and organic farmers at this
too-cool-to-be-called-a-flea-market.
1440 P Street, Northwest. 10 AM to 7 PM.

GATSBY: We know thatGreat Gatsby
trailer with Jay and ’ye got
you pumped and jealous you didn’t know any mysterious
millionaires back when you were a young whippersnapper on Long
Island in the 1920s. Well, luckily, you look like you haven’t
aged a day—the International Club of DC is hosting aGreat Gatsby Ball at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Wear your flapper dress, 1920s suit and top hat, or whatever else you can scrounge
up from the era. Tickets ($75) are available online. 9 PM.

POOL PARTY (JUST KIDDING): Personally, I think the best part of a pool party is, you know, the pool. ButTown Tavern is offering a free open bar from 8
to 10 PM, so I’ll allow their pool-less pool party to fly. Grab your
bikini and/or board
shorts and get there for specials on beers, mixed drinks, and
poolside standbys like frozen margs and Jell-O shots. Free.
8 PM.

VARIETY SHOW: TheDC Arts Center’s monthly variety show is Saturday night. This month, you get four local comedians, includingWill Hessler andKyle Martin, who are veterans of the local scene, plus theDeb Felz Band, who sound kinda like Alanis Morissette. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door. 10 PM.

Sunday, June 17

PIG ROAST: 14th Street’sthe Heights is hosting a pig roast on its
outdoor patio. You know what that means: pulled-pork sandwiches, gobs of
coleslaw, and . .
. pulled-pork pancakes? Sounds weird but potentially delicious.
Better be safe and try it out. 11 AM until the pig runs out.

KNITTING: Everyone I know who knits always makes crappy, shapeless hats, or maybe a sock every now and then if they’re feeling crazy.
But I know you’re different. If you want a relaxing Sunday, head to the Textile Museum forWorldwide Knit in Public Day, which is apparently a thing. Anyway, the weather is supposed to be nice and you can learn how to knit or share secrets with
other knitting-needle experts. Free. 1 PM.

Know of something cool to do around town? E-mail Jason
Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com or find him on Twitter at
@jason_koebler.